Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-12-16
James G. Blaine.

IN MS comments ana CRITICISMS than he
has been heretofore disposed to be in crit
icising MIR. Cleveland's political acts and
utterances. His keen sagacity admonishes
him that the Presidents message is strong
political manifesto, which is bound to take
deep hold on the minds and judgment
of the people. He evidently realizes that
hasty or Incorporate objections to it are
not likely to benefit the aspirations or the
"booms" of future Presidential candidates
and SO his customary impetuosity and We
hemence in the delivery Of bis opinions
and criticisms are manifestly restrained by
some degree of prudence and caution.
He puts forth no especially new opin-
ions or ideas, only repeating his former
pro'ectionist views; except in regard to
the internal revenue tax upon whisky and
/ liquors, upon which, for the first time we
think, he speaks emphatically and un-
equivocaly. He says that be would keep
the tax on liquors up to their fill rate.
even though there were no need for the
revenues accruing from the tax. But the
tax on tobacco ought to be removed; be.
cause, he says, tobacco is not lux ury, but
necessity. In TINS cenceding the force
of Mr.. Cleveland's argumen. that luxuries
| should continue to bear their burden of
taxation until the necessaries of lite are
first relieved, and admitting that the in
ternal tax on liquors should be continued,
Mr.. Blaine not only departs from the pre-
vious doctrine OF his party, which has al
ways demanded the repeal of the whole
internal revenue system in preference to
lany reduction of the tariff; but be also
makes partially new record for himself.
Still he reiterates vigorously his protec-
zionist views and all the bold assumptions
be has heretofore advanced regarding
american labor" the balance Of trade Is
affected by tariff &C., &C.; all of which
appear the more frivolous and insincere
when compared with the practical. earnest
aud patriotic utterances of President
Cleveland.
But Mr.. Blaine's views on the tariff and
the means he has adopted to promulgste
them anew at this time only become inter
esting because they exhibit unmistsk able
evidence that the Maine statesman is really
in training for another entry into the
Presidential race. They are Of interest
too, perhaps, in that they seem to manifest
a realization on the part of this shrewd
politician that the gauntlet which brave,
honest Grover Cleveland has thrown down
to Mr.. Blaine and his followers, must be
taken up with care and caution. That
Mr.. Blaine's Presidential boom is still in
healthy and promising condition, is
made manifest by the recent meeting of
the Republican national committee, in
which the Blaine influence clearly predom
mated but whether or not he has exer-
cised sufficient caution and circumspection
in making up mis- issue with President
Cleveland upon bis revenue reform mes.
sage, may be fairly doubted.
If the opinion and influence OF journal
like that great organ OF Republican opin.
ion in the Northwest, the Chicago Tribune,
is to be counted for anything in such 40
it might be considered quss-
whether Mr.. Blaine had not been
a little previous" in framing his issue; or
whether his past record as an ultra pro-
tectionist may not be deemed dangerous
handicap in the approaching campaign.-
The Tribune, which was formerly one of
the staunchest supporters of Mr.. Blaine.
makes the following pointed comments
on bis recent criticism of the President's
message:
"Mr. Blaine's general position will not
commend itself to the American people,
for unqestionably an immense majority
believe in remitting a large share of these
oppressive taxes which hear upon the pro-
ducing and consuming clssses with crush
ing weight. 1t is the weakest ground Mr..
Blaine has ever yet occupied. and no na-
'ional party can expect to go into q presi-
dental campaign on that issue, no matter
who may be its leaders, and win. 1t is q
position of direct hostility to the report
of the tariff commission and to the repub-
lican platform of 1884. We are free to
state our belief that in leading the cohorts
of the coddled State of Pennsylvania With
his lieutensnts-Randali. Kelly and Came
ron-he will find that Pennsylvania is but
one State, and that there 10 large army
outside its borders who do not propose to
be levied upon any longer for its benefits.
"Mr. Blaine ought to rid hinself OF the
Pennsylvania notion that = proper and
necessary reduction of the excessive profits
now made by mill and factory bosses will
cause them to close their establishments
and discharge their employees, or that the
latter will 90 off in buff and take 10
farming. 1t is sufficient explanation OF
Blsine's interview that he 10 q Pennsyl-
vanian. He was brought up in an stmos
phere of ultra protection. He has sat at
the feet of the high tariff Gsmaliels of that
State and inbibed their doctrines. Like
all Pennsylvanians. republicans or demo-
Gratis, he believes in enormous duties on
imports for the purpose of coddling the
mill bosses and protecting the so-csllsd
"infant industries" which long ago came
of age, and ought to be able to 60 alone
1t is needless to say that it is q very narrow
view and one which does not take in q
wider horizon than that which bounds
their State. The surplus question must
be settled in some way, and in a different
way from what it has been settled. It
cannot be settled in accordance with the
Blaine idea."
Judge Faux ner Gets the Seat.
The Senate committee on privileges and